After 2 long flights, a 4-hour bus ride and a short ferry trip, we finally reached Russell, New Zealand and boarded Gallivant, a 56ft. sloop that was to be our home for the next week.

Unfortunately, the weather wasn't great the first day, but we tried to make the best of it...

We sailed from Motorua island to Keri Keri, where the New Year's party of the Millennium was to be held at the Gallivant's owner's home. 

Awoke to the beginning of the year 2000 to a beautiful day. We motored from Keri Keri  to Russell to pick up  wedding guests and then motored to Roberton Island, where the ceremony was to be held later that day. Along the way we saw a family of dolphins riding our bow wave...

We all decided to put some nautical miles on the boat and go north to the Whangaroa Harbor. It was blowing hard and we were in the open ocean but the sight of a whale lightened the mood for those that were feeling a little seasick.

Once there, the water was like glass...   

Spent a leisurely time in the harbor, eating, drinking and being merry (while waiting for the mainsail furler part that Dave broke to be repaired).

We made the return trip to the Bay of Islands under blue skies and a nice steady wind, giving us an easy reach all the way. Aye, Captain Dave!

Our last day on the boat and a great dinner with a beautiful sunset to send us on our way. A great finale indeed.

After leaving Julian and Laisa behind on the Gallivant, we stayed in the small town of Russell for two days before heading to Auckland. The inn that we stayed in was called the Arcadia and was built from the remains of a sailing ship that crashed on shore 100 years ago, and was fortified with whale bone. Also in Russell, we visited the oldest church in New Zealand.

While in Auckland, we checked out the America's Cup village and saw the boats going out for the day. And shortly before leaving, we checked out the tourist spots including the Sky Tower, the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere.